When buying and selling real estate, besides a good REALTOR®, the person who helps protect your interests the most is a good real estate lawyer. So, what are the top qualities and traits of a good real estate lawyer?

Seasoned — 90 percent of their practice should be focused on real estate in your location.

A transparent fee structure — Are there hidden fees? Do their fees include title insurance? If not, research another lawyer.

Good online reviews — Also, ask for recommendations from your network.

Communication skills — Do they respond to you in a reasonable time frame? Do they explain things in a way that is easy to understand? Do they listen attentively to you?

Involvement — Ask how involved the lawyer will be since many lawyers work with assistants, and you want to be sure the lawyer will closely attend to your file.

So, before you hire a real estate lawyer, be sure to shop around. It could mean the difference between smooth sailing and a nightmare.

When priming your home for sale there are some definite missteps you can make if you just “wing it,” which can affect the sale of your home. So, to prevent this from happening, read on for staging mistakes to avoid.

• Hodge-podge of styles — Maintain a cohesive style throughout your home to create a harmonious “look and feel.”
• Personal and bold — Put away your personal photos and mementos and keep your home décor neutral. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home, so those personal items can be distracting.
• Simple repairs or updates neglected — Repaint dull or chipped paint and update outdated light fixtures or décor.
• Unprofessional photos — Professionally taken photos are well worth the investment as they will capture the attention of buyers quicker than poorly taken or poor quality photos.
• Layout and size of furniture — If you have a massive sectional occupying most of your living room, it’s going to make the room appear much smaller. If you have room, keep some space between the furniture and the walls to create an illusion of spaciousness.
• Clutter — Perhaps obvious, but those various coloured shampoo bottles in the bathtub and small appliances on the counter create an immediate eyesore for prospective buyers. Declutter and find a home to hide those unsightly items.
• Too little or too much lighting — Strike the right balance using soft, layered lighting throughout your home.
• Grungy linens — It doesn’t have to cost much to refresh your bed linens and towels that will be on display, and it's worth the difference it makes.
• Unpleasant scents — We become accustomed to the familiar smell of our home over time, but even if you think your home smells pleasant, have a friend come over to do the “smell test” and get an outside opinion.

Hiring a reputable professional staging company with plenty of good reviews will help you avoid these staging mistakes, so you stand your best chance of a speedy and successful sale.

Divorcing and selling your marital home is an emotional time but having a real estate agent who is experienced working with divorcing couples can help.

Consider the following:

• They are experienced in being an objective third party to help with decisions during an emotional time.
• They are knowledgeable in different divorce situations, such as one person buying out the other.
• They have mediation skills for disagreements about home selling decisions and property division, which can lower legal bills, leading to a quicker sale.
• They have knowledge of legal and tax implications related to divorce and selling the matrimonial home and can ensure all paperwork is handled correctly.
• They know how to market the home and will maintain confidentiality about the personal circumstances of their clients. For example, the home must look like the couple is together. If prospective buyers have any indication of a divorce sale, they may make a lowball offer thinking the sellers are desperate to sell quickly.

If you are looking for a REALTOR® who specializes in divorce real estate, ask for and check their references of divorced clients they have sold with in the past.

Selling a fixer-upper property can be challenging, but the process can be made a lot smoother by making some smart decisions:

• Hire a REALTOR® with a proven track record of selling fixer-uppers. You need a REALTOR® who knows how to market your property to potential buyers. When interviewing agents, ask for past examples of fixer-upper sales.
• Decide if it’s worthwhile financially and timewise, to repair or renovate before selling.
• Determine if you will sell it “as-is.” Doing so will limit liability for issues, such as broken appliances, mould, pest issues, etc.
• Choose whether it makes the most sense to stage, not stage, or leave the property vacant.
• If it’s not going to be a complete gut job, have it professionally cleaned.
• Price it right. Check out what recent fixer-uppers in your area have sold for and determine the lowest price you will accept.
• Be sure to market to builders and contractors. Focus on the potential and selling points (e.g., layout, desirable location, original wood), be transparent about any issues to avoid liability, consider mentioning cost estimates for renovations, and try to time your selling with when the weather is more agreeable for renovations.

Selling a fixer-upper might take longer than your average property sale, but with some patience, optimism, and a solid strategy it can be done.